Blueberry plant named ‘NS 15-5’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, which is denominated varietally as ‘NS 15-5’ is described, with a medium to dense fruit cluster density and which produces fruit considered large to very large in size and very low to low in acidity under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.

Latin name: Vaccinium hybrid.

Variety denomination:

The invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of blueberryplant, a Vaccinium hybrid, with a variety denomination hereinafter as‘NS 15-5’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119 toCommunity Plant Variety Office (CPVO) Application No. 2019/2934 forCommunity Plant Variety Rights, filed on Nov. 12, 2019 for a blueberryplant with a variety denomination of ‘NS 15 5’, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

The new variety of blueberry plant resulted from an ongoing developmentprogram of plant breeding conducted to identify such plants. The purposeof the program was to improve the commercial quality of blueberry plantsand other plant species. To this end, controlled, hybrid,cross-pollinations were made in order to produce plant populations fromwhich improved progeny were evaluated and thereafter selected.

The ‘NS 15-5’ blueberry plant was originated and selected from apopulation of new plants growing on the breeder's property, which islocated at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia. The newvariety of blueberry plant was derived from a controlled, hybrid,cross-pollination of the seed parent, blueberry plant ‘EB 9-4’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 28,334), and a pollen parent, blueberry plant ‘EB 8-46’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,173) during the 2013 growing season.

PRIOR VARIETIES

The seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ is characterized principally by a semi-uprightto intermediate growth habit, a medium vigor, a very early season firstpick date, and further produces large- to very-large-sized, firm, highsweetness, and low to medium acidity fruit under the ecologicalconditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia. Also, the seedparent ‘EB 9-4’ exhibits a very early date of bloom time, a medium fruitcluster density, and a last pick date in February of the following yearunder the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia.Further, the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ is evergreen and produces fruit onone-year-old and current season's shoots.

The pollen parent ‘EB 8-46’, on the other hand, is characterizedprincipally by an intermediate growth habit, a medium to strong vigor,an early season first pick date, and further produces very-large-sized,firm to very firm, high sweetness, and low acidity fruit under theecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia. Also, thepollen parent ‘EB 8-46’ exhibits an early date of bloom time, a mediumto dense fruit cluster density, and a November last pick date under theecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia. Further,the pollen parent ‘EB 8-46’ is semi-evergreen and produces fruit onone-year-old and current season's shoots.

ORIGIN

The seed from the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ produced approximately 2,400plants following cross-pollination. These new plants were then grown atthe aforementioned property, and fruit from these new plants was firstobserved in 2014. A subsequent assessment of these same self-fertile,new plants conducted during the 2015 growing season led to selecting the‘NS 15-5’ variety for further evaluation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The further evaluation included an asexual vegetative propagation, byvegetative cuttings, at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia.Subsequent evaluations of the newly derived plants in the 2016 growingseason led to a conclusion that the ‘NS 15-5’ variety was a distinct andnew variety of blueberry plant found to be true to the original plant.The new variety of blueberry plant was considered to be novel in view ofits large to very large fruit size, medium to dense fruit clusterdensity, and very low to low fruit acidity.

COMPARISONS

In comparison to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ under the ecologicalconditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia, the new variety isnoteworthy. In this regard, the seed parent and the new variety ofblueberry plant both produce fruit with a size considered to be large tovery large. In addition, the seed parent has a fruit cluster densityconsidered to be medium. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry planthas a fruit cluster density considered to be medium to dense. Further,the seed parent produces fruit considered to be low to medium inacidity. This is in contrast to the fruit of the new variety ofblueberry plant, which is considered to be very low to low in acidity.

In comparison to the pollen parent ‘EB 8-46’ under the ecologicalconditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia, the new variety isnoteworthy. In this regard, the pollen parent produces fruit with a sizeconsidered to be very large. However, the new variety of blueberry plantproduces fruit with a size considered to be large to very large. Inaddition, the pollen parent and the new variety of blueberry plant bothhave a fruit cluster density considered to be medium to dense. Further,the pollen parent produces fruit considered to be low in acidity. Thisis in contrast to the fruit of the new variety of blueberry plant, whichis considered to be very low to low in acidity.

The new variety of blueberry plant is readily distinguishable from themost closely related, known variety, the ‘EB 12-3’ blueberry plantdescribed in Australia Plant Breeder Right 2017/316, filed Oct. 31,2017, titled “Southern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid) Variety EB12-3,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Inthis regard, the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’ produces fruit with asize considered to be large. However, the new variety of blueberry plantproduces fruit with a size considered to be large to very large. Inaddition, the closest known variety has a fruit cluster densityconsidered to be medium. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry planthas a fruit cluster density considered to be medium to dense. Further,the closest known variety produces fruit considered to be medium to highin acidity. This is in contrast to the fruit of the new variety ofblueberry plant, which is considered to be very low to low in acidity.Although ‘EB 12-3’ produces fruit with medium to high acidity when thefruit turns full blue in ripeness, it should be noted that fruitremaining on the plant for another 7 to 10 days increases in size anddecreases in acidity to low to medium acidity.

The comparisons described above are summarized in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Summary of Comparisons ‘EB 9-4’ ‘EB 8-46’ ‘NS 15-5’ ‘EB 12-3’(Seed) (Pollen) Fruit size Large to Large Large to Very large very largevery large Fruit cluster Medium to Medium Medium Medium to density densedense Fruit acidity Very low to Medium to Low to Low low high medium

In addition, Table 2 below compares the ‘NS 15-5’ variety to severalsibling cultivars that resulted from same the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ andpollen parent ‘EB 8-46’, namely, ‘NS 15-13’ (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/990,818), ‘NS 15-22’ (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/991,651), and ‘NS 16-15’ (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/991,868).

TABLE 2 Comparison to Sibling Cultivars ‘NS 15-5’ ‘NS 15-13’ ‘NS 15-22’‘NS 16-15’ Fruit size Large to Large Large to Large very large verylarge Fruit cluster Medium to Sparse to Medium Dense density densemedium Fruit acidity Very low to Low to Low Low low medium Fruiting typeon one- on one- on one- on one- yr-old yr-old yr-old yr-old and currentshoots only shoots only shoots only season's shoots Vegetative budEarly, Early, Early, Early, burst timing end of May end of May end ofMay mid-Jun Fruit Medium Medium Medium Medium sweetness Fruit firmnessMedium Medium to firm Medium Firm Plant vigor Strong Medium to StrongMedium to strong strong

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of the new blueberryplant ‘NS 15-5’ during the third year of growth under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the breeder's property, which is located atYanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows fruit, blooms, leaves, and aportion of a vegetative stem of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 15-5’, thefruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment. Thisphotograph also depicts the fruit size and the color of the ripe fruit,two leaves showing the sizes and the upper and under side colorationsthereof, two blooms at different stages of maturation, and additionalleaves on the stem at different stages of maturation.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows the new blueberry plant ‘NS15-5’. This photograph depicts a mature bush with ripe and unripefruits, the fruit size, and the upright growth habit of the bush. Theripe fruit is sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment.

The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type. Due to variations incolor printers and/or chemical development, processing and printing, thecolors of the plant parts depicted in these photographs may, or may not,be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, colorreferences are made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, Sixth Edition (2015), hereinafter, “R.H.S.”) anddescriptions provided.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION Not a Commercial Warranty

The following detailed description was prepared solely to comply withthe provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, and does not constitute a commercialwarranty (either expressed or implied) that the present variety will, inthe future, display the botanical, horticultural, or othercharacteristics set forth herein. Therefore, this disclosure may not berelied upon to support any future legal claims including, but notlimited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for anyparticular purpose, or non-infringement, which is directed in whole, orin part, to the present new variety of plant.

Referring more specifically to the botanical features of this new anddistinct variety of blueberry plant, the following has been observedduring the third year of growth under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the breeder's property, which is located at YanchepSprings in Yanchep, Western Australia.

-   Plant: General.    -   -   Vigor.—Considered strong for the species.        -   Growth habit.—Considered upright. This is in comparison to            the commercial variety ‘Ivanhoe’ (unpatented), which is            considered to be upright.        -   Average size of plant.—1.1 meters in height by 0.90 meters            in width.        -   Internode length (space between nodes).—Considered short to            medium, 12-18 millimeters (mm).        -   Bark color.—RHS Brownish Orange Group 164A.        -   Color, one year old shoots.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group            145B.        -   Fruiting type.—On one-year-old shoots and current season's            shoots, in like manner to commercial varieties ‘Concord’            (unpatented) and ‘Burlington’ (unpatented).-   Foliage: General.    -   -   Average leaf length.—Considered medium to long for the            species, 60.7 mm.        -   Average leaf width.—Considered medium to broad for the            species, 30.9 mm.        -   Color of leaf upper.—RHS Deep Yellowish Green Group 144A.        -   Color of leaf underside.—RHS Moderate Yellow Green Group            138B.        -   Vein color of plant leaf.—RHS Strong Yellow Green Group            144B.        -   Venation pattern of leaf.—Pinnate reticulate.        -   Leaf apex texture.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf apex shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf base shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf arrangement of plant.—Alternate.        -   Petiole length.—3.71 mm.        -   Petiole diameter.—1.42 mm.        -   Petiole color.—RHS Light Yellow Green 145B.-   Flowers.    -   -   Number of flowers/inflorescence.—8-10.        -   Length of inflorescence (excluding pedicel).—Considered            medium to long, 9.3 mm.        -   Corolla shape.—Urceolate.        -   Corolla tube surface texture.—Ridges are present on the            corolla tube.        -   Average corolla length.—12.7 mm.        -   Corolla diameter.—9.6 mm.        -   Corolla aperture size.—6.45 mm.        -   Corolla color.—RHS White Group NN155C.        -   Pedicel color.—RHS Brilliant Yellow Green Group 149B.        -   Pedicel length.—7.54 mm.        -   Average calyx diameter.—Considered small to medium, 3.86 mm.        -   Average calyx basin depth.—Considered medium, 1.6 mm.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Erect.        -   Type of sepals.—Straight.-   Reproductive organs.    -   -   Size of pollen anthers.—5.46 mm.        -   Color of pollen anthers.—RHS Brownish Orange Group 167B.        -   Pistil length.—9.62 mm.        -   Pistil color.—RHS Brilliant Yellow Green Group 149B.-   Fruit.    -   -   Color of unripe fruit.—RHS Strong Yellow Green Group 144A.        -   Color of fruit skin.—RHS Bluish Black Group 203C, also            considered “dark blue” in like color to the commercial            variety ‘Heerma’ (unpatented), after removal of bloom.        -   Color of ripe fruit flesh.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group            144D.        -   Color of seeds.—RHS Brownish Orange Group N167B.        -   Average fruit size.—Large to very large, 20 mm in diameter            and 13.53 mm in height. This is comparable to the seed            parent ‘EB 9-4’, wherein the fruit size is also considered            large to very large. This is in contrast to the pollen            parent ‘EB 8-46’, wherein the fruit size is considered very            large. This is also in contrast to the closest known variety            ‘EB 12-3’, wherein the fruit size is considered large.        -   Average weight of fruit.—3.37 grams.        -   Berry shape.—Considered oblate.        -   Sweetness when ripe.—Considered medium for the species.        -   Firmness when ripe.—Considered medium for the species.        -   Acidity when ripe.—Considered very low to low for the            species. This is in contrast to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’,            wherein the fruit acidity is considered low to medium. This            is also in contrast to the pollen parent ‘EB 8-46’, wherein            the fruit acidity is considered low. This is further in            contrast to the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’, wherein the            fruit acidity is considered medium to high.        -   Cluster density.—Considered medium to dense for the species.            This is comparable to the pollen parent ‘EB 8-46’, wherein            the fruit cluster density is also considered medium to            dense. This is in contrast to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ and            the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’, wherein the fruit            cluster density is considered medium.        -   Average fruit production.—3 kilograms on a two-year-old            bush.        -   Storability of fruit.—Considered excellent for the species.        -   Market use of fruit.—1st grade fresh market fruit.        -   Date of bud burst.—This variety is evergreen under the            ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western            Australia, but a bud break occurs at the end of May, which            is considered early for the species.        -   Date of bloom time.—This variety is evergreen under the            ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western            Australia, but a bloom time occurs in mid-July, which is            considered very early on one-year-old shoot in like manner            to the commercial variety ‘Patriot’ (unpatented) and is            considered very early on current year's shoot before the            commercial variety ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented), which is            considered early.        -   Duration of bloom time.—4 weeks.        -   Beginning of fruit ripening.—considered very early on            one-year-old shoot in like manner to the commercial variety            ‘Bluetta’ (unpatented) and very early on current year's            shoot before the commercial variety ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented),            which is considered early.        -   First pick date.—The observed date of the first pick is            approximately September under the ecological conditions            prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.        -   Last pick date.—The observed date of the last pick is            approximately October under the ecological conditions            prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.        -   Pollination requirements.—Self-fertile.        -   Resistance to pests and disease.—No particular resistance            noted. The variety has not been tested to detect any            resistance.

Although the new variety of blueberry plant possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inYanchep, Western Australia, it should be understood that variations areto be expected in the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control,frost, climatic variables, and horticultural management.

Having thus described and illustrated a new variety of blueberry plant,what is claimed to secure a plant letters patent is:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘NS 15-5,’ substantially asillustrated and described, which is characterized principally as tonovelty by a medium to dense fruit cluster density and by producingfruit considered large to very large in size and very low to low inacidity under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, WesternAustralia.